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a8 local
Friday 12 January 2024

Exploring the Mainstreet of San Nicolas

SAN NICOLAS— At Just 11 Museum and the Carnival casing Aruba’s Carnival.
miles southeast from Oran- Euphoria, all within walking See how are Carnival has
jestad you will enter the city distance from one another. developed over the past
San Nicolas, also known as The Museum of Industry is 65 years.
Sunrise City or Chocolate situated in the Water Tower
City. A city that is rich in in San Nicolas and narrates The new San Nicolas
authentic culture and is- Aruba's industrial history In the shadow of the refin-
land charm. San Nicolas is which began in the 19th ery, an art capital is quietly
Aruba’s second largest city century. Here you will learn beginning to grow. This is
and was once a bustling about gold, aloe, phos- the new San Nicolas, a
company town dominated phate, oil and the tourism place that is starting to be-
by the oil industry since the industries which made San come a magnet for all that
early 1930’s. Nicolas once a bustling is young, cool and hip in
business center. Experi- Aruba. Indeed, San Nicolas
Over the course of four de- ence the touching stories has all of the ingredients of
cades, its demographics of those who were part of an emerging cultural hub
had changed immensely this history. — varied history, interesting
due to a stream of Afro-Ca- Nicolaas Store built in 1940 architecture, and, perhaps
ribbean and South Ameri- and renovated in 2014 is most importantly, an urban
can workers who came the home of the Communi- layout that makes it walk-
to fill the jobs in the oil re- ty Museum. The collection is able. As you walk around,
finery between the 1920’s remarkable and spans mil- the streets are silent but
until the 1960’s. To this day lennia. Ancient fossils stand the walls are loud, filled
traces of the multicultural next to tableaus of an au- with bright, colorful murals
influences in culinary offer- thentically recreated colo- painted by a collection pieces that keep brighten- cally made arts and crafts
ings and customs, housing nial kitchen and bedroom of artists from around the ing up SunriseCity. which reflect the diversifi-
and population are clearly and 19th-century barber- world. Thanks to the efforts cation of the Aruban craft
visible in San Nicolas - more shop, just to name a few of of various art organizations Must See, Do, Buy & Eat heritage and the artistic
than anywhere else on the the items of old-time Aruba in Aruba, such as Art Rules A little bit of everything can supply of artisans. Don’t
island. that has been preserved. A Aruba and Aruba Art Fair, be found in the main street. miss out on trying the exqui-
collection of artifacts and San Nicolas has had quite Stores selling shoes, cloth- site food offered by the ca-
Flow of history other objects of artistic, cul- the aesthetic makeover ing, jewelry you name it. fes and restaurants or just
if you are looking for his- tural, historical, or scientific with regards to vibrant Arts & crafts by Cosecha enjoy a peaceful walk ad-
tory San Nicolas has it. Here importance can be found street art. Each year more store & Creative Center, a miring the murals, mosaic
you will find three amazing here for the purpose of ed- and more stunning murals design store in which you benches and all the history
museums, The Museum of ucation or enjoyment. are replacing broken down can immerse yourself in dis- San Nicolas has to offer.q
Industry, the Community Carnival Euphoria is show- buildings with colorful art covering genuine and lo-

Helpful tips for your stay on Aruba

(Oranjestad)—When traveling to an- Police: 100 Drinking water Taxis
other country, especially for the first Police Tipline: 11141 The water that flows through the sinks Prices for taxi fair are set by the De-
time, it is always better to be over- Ambulance: 911 of every house, hotels and other es- partment of Public Traffic and are
prepared than under-prepared. That Fire Dept: 115 tablishments is distilled and perfectly based on destination rather than
is why we have a list of basic—but Oranjestad: HOH hospital: +297-527- safe to drink. Aruba’s drinking water mileage. Most taxis can take up to
important—information that we think 4000 exceeds WHO’s international stan- five passengers, but this may vary
may come in handy to Aruba’s visi- San Nicolas: ImSan: +297-527-8833 dards for water quality, so there is depending on the vehicle. Taxis are
tors. no need to buy bottled water from pretty much always available and
Electrical power the store. you can ever hire one for $45 an hour.
Emergency services Aruba generally operates on 110V to
Even though most people don’t even 127V supply voltage and 60Hz. There Supermarket hours Safety
want to think about having to con- are also three types of outlets used Supermarket hours may vary de- Aruba is one of the safest islands
tact emergency services—especially on the island: type A with two flat pending on where you are staying in the Caribbean, and many tour-
not while on their vacation, it is still prongs; type B with two flat and one on the island. Generally though, most ist that visit have often told us how
important to know what number to grounding prong, and on occasion, supermarkets are open from 8am to 9 they feel safe to explore the island
dial in case of the unlikely event of type F with two round prong and or 10pm, Monday through Saturday. or walk around at night. However,
an accident or severe incident. two earth clips on the side. However, On Sundays, supermarkets generally rare incidents do occurs, so keep
Type A is most commonly found in close earlier; mostly around 2pm. yourself and your belongings safe.q
homes and establishments.